There are still two weekends left of play in Horizon League volleyball, but after two big road wins this weekend Cleveland State has opened up a 2 ½ game lead over the rest of the teams in the League.
The Vikings improved to 10-1 in conference play with a 3-1 win over Loyola on Saturday. The Ramblers are the only team to defeat CSU this season, knocking off the Vikings 3-0 on Sept. 28, but after taking a 1-0 lead on Saturday, Cleveland State responded by winning the final three sets to win the match.
UIC swept Youngstown State on Saturday to help the Flames improve to 7-4 in League play as UIC battles Valparaiso (7-3) and Loyola (7-4) for the second seed in the conference tournament. The Horizon League tournament will feature the top six teams in the regular season standings with the regular season champion serving as host. The top two-seeds receive byes into the semifinals. The tournament begins on Friday, Nov. 16 and runs through Sunday, Nov. 18.
Saturday, October 27 Results
Cleveland State def. Loyola, 3-1 (21-25, 28-26, 25-14, 25-19)
UIC def. Youngstown State, 3-0 (25-16, 27-25, 25-15)
Cleveland State 3, Loyola 1
The Cleveland State Vikings volleyball team is on a roll, and it doesn't look like that' s going to stop anytime soon. The Vikings earned their eighth straight win (and 10th in 11 games) Saturday afternoon, taking down Loyola in four games on the road.
The four game's scores were, 21-25, 28-26, 25-14, and 25-19.
After falling behind 1-0, and then barely winning game two, CSU was able to come back with force in games three and four for the victory.
Senior Marie Frease and junior Jackie Dabbelt led the way for the road team with 13 kills each, with senior Kara Koch coming in just behind with 12. Maggie Hannon also chipped in with nine kills at a .533 kill percentage for CSU.
On the defensive side both Amanda Medvetz and Koch reached the double-digit dig mark, with 18 and 11 respectively.
Anna Eytchison led all hitters with 17 kills for the match. Kathleen Vogel added 15 kills in support while Laura Purcell racked up 10 kills and tied her career high with seven blocks. Stephanie Kinane was solid in the back row, notching a match-high 28 digs.
UIC 3, Youngstown State 0
Nicole Allgood and MaryKate Imrie collected double-double figures as the UIC volleyball team (15-12, 7-4) defeated Youngstown State, 3-0 (25-16, 27-25, 25-15) Saturday inside the Flames Athletic Center.
Allgood and Imrie posted their second double-double of the weekend. Allgood had 10 kills and 10 digs, while Imrie handed out 43 helpers and picked up 11 digs.
Senior Janise Dismuke had 12 kills, and led all players in hitting percentage at .611 (12-1-18). It is the fifth time this season that Dismuke has hit at over .500.
Senior Kelsey Safranek led all players offensively in kills with 14. Sophomore Maggie Strus led the match defensively with 16 digs.
In the opening set of play, the Flames and Penguins had six lead changes in the opening eight points, before UIC pulled away on an 8-2 run to gain a 19-12 lead. The Flames continued to build on their lead to close the game at 25-16. UIC hit at .387 in the frame and were led by Safranek and Allgood with five kills each.
As UIC led the match 1-0, the Flames opened the second frame with a 7-0 lead. The Penguins then battled back to come within one point (14-13), before UIC went on a 7-1 run. Youngstown State again fought back to outscore UIC 9-2 to tie the score at 23. UIC was able to outlast the Penguins, 27-25 and lead the match 2-0.
The Penguins scored the opening point in the third set, and then the Flames scored the next 12 points. In the 12-point spree, Allgood held serve, while Dismuke knocked down five kills. The Penguins were unable to recover from the deficit and UIC won the set handily at 25-15 and the match, 3-0.
Missy Hundelt finished with 11 kills to lead YSU, while Erika West led the Penguins defensive effort with 14 digs.
